Filipino militants ‘abduct German, kill wife on yacht' Featured

A German yachtsman is believed to have been abducted by Filipino Islamist militants, the Philippines' army says.The naked body of a woman found on an abandoned yacht is thought to be his wife, army spokesman Filemon Tan said.In an audio message, the leader of the Abu Sayyaf group, which often kidnaps for ransom, said it was behind the raid, the military spokesman added.The couple, Jurgen Kantner and Sabine Merz, were held captive for more than a month by Somali pirates in 2008.Their passports were found on board the yacht, Mr Tan said.The German authorities have yet to confirm the incident.Abu Sayyaf is one of the smallest and most violent jihadist groups in the southern Philippines, known for its brutality, including beheadings.In recent months it has been behind a series of attacks at sea between the Philippines and Malaysia, with tug boats and fishing vessels intercepted and their crews kidnapped and held for ransom.